Page 95 of Too Safe

Admittedly, it’s not just the concussion giving me pause. I have no idea whether she feels the way I do.

Or where things stand with her and Locke. Or her and Kylian.

Fuck.

I’ve done nothing but make her life harder since the day she showed up at LCU. She could loathe me for the rest of time, and I wouldn’t blame her. I don’t know how I can make things up to her. Or if it’s even a possibility.

Ironically, the best way to repay her for tonight would be to trust her and to let her go.

Deep down, I do trust her. I can admit that to myself now.

I made a bad call, doubting her story and forcing her to live in the house. But I had to be sure.

She’s earned my trust. She wouldn’t intentionally hurt Locke or Kylian, although Kendrick may be a different story.

I should let her go. I don’t know where she came from, and Kylian never did find information to threaten her with or hold over her head. But I realize now that I don’t have to coerce her into keeping secrets. She’s not a threat. She hasn’t been planted here to hurt me. Even if she has turned my world upside down.

My own bullshit started this mess. Or I guess Kendrick’s untrusting bullshit that triggered my paranoia.

I don’t believe in coincidences or fate. The lack of dirt Kylian could dig up on her still bothers me.

And yet…

Over the last week, I’ve gone from worrying that she’s a threat to concerned that she could be threatened because of her association with me.

That’s a side effect of growing up in the spotlight—of losing one parent because of the fame of the other.

I’m selective about who I let get close. Most people can’t hack it. And I don’t have the strength to worry about how my life and my future will affect someone else. It’s too great a burden to bear.

My boys are in it for the long haul. They’ve proven their loyalty over and over again. In exchange for their friendship, I do everything I can to provide for them and to make this life worth it.

Because we’re in this for life. My brothers. My family. I’ll never stop working to protect them from a fate like my mom’s.

Is there room for Josephine among us? Is it worth the risk? And if so, where does she fit in?

I should let her go.

Should. Would, even, if I could.

Except tonight complicates things. By helping me, she earned my trust. But by helping me, she also burrowed herself deeper into the shitstorm that is my not-so-private life. Now that she knows about the concussion, the fate of my career and reputation are in her hands.

I’ll admit I was wrong: Josephine Meyer wasn’t a threat. But given what she experienced tonight and the way she’s affected me and each of my brothers over the last few weeks, she’s undoubtedly become one.

There’s no way I can let her go.

Chapter 40

Locke

“I’veneverbeeninthis room,” Joey singsongs as she practically skips to the couch closest to the TV.

I fight against the urge to chase after her and wrangle her onto my lap.

The vibe between us has been tenuous at best since she moved in. Hot and cold. Tension and ease. But I haven’t let that discourage me. I’ve been playing the long game—biding my time and allowing her to cool off, hoping that she’ll eventually come around.

Thank god she has, because my patience has officially expired.

“What’ll it be, Hot Girl? Do you have a movie in mind?”

---